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London residents want options for disposing leaves
(by Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor - September 07, 2010)
With no city leaf pick-up this fall, London residents are seeking alternatives for removing the piles from their yards.
Three residents raised concerns at a Sept. 3 public hearing on a proposed law that forbids the placement of grass clippings and yard waste onto streets and into storm drains.
Breck Michael, an East High Street resident, said he can haul his leaves to the city transfer station but noted that many people don’t have the means or flexibility in their schedules to do the same.
The transfer station, located on Jenkinson Avenue, is open from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and takes yard waste at no charge.
Michael, along with Route 38 resident Barbara Lininger and North Oak Street resident Jennifer Stefanics, all suggested extended hours at the transfer station, including Saturdays.
Bill Young of the London Board of Public Utilities (BPU) said extended hours are a possibility.
“The transfer station could be open Saturdays 8 to noon,” he said, adding that evening hours once during the week also are a possibility.
Young said expenses linked to extended hours include overtime salaries and fees to have haulers pull hoppers and transport them to a yard waste recycling and compost facility in Dublin. The cost per hopper pull is $275.
“Right now, we average one to three hopper loads a month. We could increase the number of hoppers,” Young said, predicting the need for three hopper loads a week during leaf season, which lasts about five weeks.
Between the hopper fees and personnel costs, he said BPU likely would spend $1,000 per Saturday.
“We can budget that... We can’t promise anything long-term, but we’re saying right now, we can handle that,” Young said.
As for Stefanics’ suggestion that the city start a pay-as-you-throw yard waste service, similar to that already in place for trash, Young said, “BPU does not want to do door-to-door or special pickups.”
Councilman Stan Kavy asked Young if residents without pickup trucks could hire haulers to get their leaves to the transfer station. Young said proof of residency would be required to deter commercial yard care companies from using the station. He also said the only way the station could accept bagged yard waste would be if the bags are biodegradable.
Young emphasized that BPU is only offering possible solutions at this time. Nothing is set in stone. Because leaves are already starting to fall, Kavy said city officials hope to have a plan in place soon.
“We understand the importance of having some options,” Kavy said. “We are working on that and hope to have it firm by the next public hearing.”
The second and final hearing on the proposed yard waste ordinance will take place on Sept. 16 during city council’s regular meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. and takes place in council chambers on East Second Street.
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Reader's Comment: I am a London native. I propose the City of London initiate a program where qualified unemployed citizens could operate the equipment to carry out the leaf pickup duties. What's wrong with this? This country has to return to common sense, in my opinion. ---Osbuck
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